DOCSLIB.ORG

The Ruptures of Rhetoric: Cool Japan, Tokyo 2020 and Post-3.11 Tohoku

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Ruptures of Rhetoric: Cool Japan, Tokyo 2020 and Post-3.11 Tohoku The Ruptures of Rhetoric: Cool Japan, Tokyo 2020 and Post-3.11 Tohoku PEPI RONALDS Monash University ABSTRACT Policymakers in Japan have adopted a discourse to link the Tokyo 2020 Olympics to the recovery of Japan’s northern Tohoku region following the March 2011 triple disaster (3.11). This discourse has created a dissonance between 3.11-affected communities, policy-makers and wider Japan. To understand this dissonance, this article explores the implicit agendas behind Japan’s Olympics efforts (such as positioning sports as a facilitator and symbol of recovery), its Cool Japan initiative (as a nation-branding and nation-building strategy) and other actions (such as labelling the 2020 event ‘the Reconstruction Olympics’). It then analyses the opinions of people from affected areas, gathered through interview research and from popular media, to demonstrate that the use of recovery rhetoric to promote the Olympics is being poorly received among some in 3.11-affected communities. Community concerns circle around availability of construction resources as well as the fact that recovery is not yet complete. This article contends that the events of 3.11, combined with the pursuit of the Olympics, has effected changes in the social imaginary and in regional ideas of belonging among 3.11-affected communities. To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.21159/nvjs.11.02 ISSN 2205-3166 KEYWORDS New Voices in Japanese Studies is an interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed journal showcasing the work of emerging 3.11; contemporary; Cool Japan; nationalism; rebuilding; recovery; Tohoku; scholars with ties to Australia or New Zealand and research interests Tokyo 2020 Olympics in Japan. All articles can be downloaded free at newvoices.org.au © The Japan Foundation, Sydney and Pepi Ronalds, 2019 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial- NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. New Voices in Japanese Studies, Vol. 11, 2019, pp. 26-46 INTRODUCTION At the closing ceremony of the Rio Olympics in August 2016, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made an appearance. He rose from a giant green pipe costumed as one of Japan’s most popular cultural exports: Super Mario. Abe’s appearance was heralded with a short, polished big-screen film production that elicited loud cheers from the stadium crowd. In the film, the nation’s top athletes trained alongside popular attractions and tropes like Tokyo Tower and the shinkansen. There were images of skyscrapers, Tokyo station, cherry blossoms and the Ginza. Interspersed with these ‘real-world’ images were scenes from anime and appearances from cartoon characters like Hello Kitty, Pacman, Mario and Doraemon. The film portrayed Abe’s journey from Japan to Rio, morphing into a cartoon Mario en route. Enabled by a tool from Doraemon’s 4D pocket, the cartoon Mario-Abe shot into a tunnel to Rio through the centre of the earth. In the real Rio Olympic stadium—where the crowd was hyped by a countdown, flashing lights and the Super Mario game’s shrill Power Up jingle—the costumed Abe appeared from the pipe and confidently waved Mario’s red hat. He then raised a red ball high in his outstretched arms, and with that, the symbolic Olympic handover from Rio to Tokyo was complete. The film covered all the cultural tropes foreign consumers expect from Japan—from the old-style magic of traditional sights, to its embrace of technology and animated characters. In appropriating Mario, Doraemon, Hello Kitty and Pacman (all symbols of Japan’s creative exports), Abe was engaging a wider national scheme known as Cool Japan. According to Japan’s Cabinet Office website, the concept of Cool Japan “covers all aspects of Japanese culture from subcultural products, such as manga and Japanimation, to traditional cultural heritage” (Cabinet Office 2014, 2). Described as “an initiative to further strengthen the ties between Japan and other countries (in such areas as economics, culture, and diplomacy)” (Cabinet Office n.d.), Cool Japan is part of a nation-branding effort aimed at positioning Japan and its cultural exports in the global marketplace (Valaskivi 2013). Cool Japan was first applied as a slogan to Japan’s nation-branding projects in the mid-2000s (Valiskivi 2013, 485), and continues to be described variously as a ‘policy’, ‘strategy’ and ‘initiative’ (METI 2016; Cabinet Office n.d.). Policy-makers’ primary aim in promoting Cool Japan is nation branding that “can be seen as a conscious effort to influence the social imaginary of a nation” (Valaskivi 2013, 486). ‘Social imaginary’ is drawn from the work of Taylor (2004), who describes it as: the ways people imagine their social existence, how they fit together with others, how things go on between them and their fellows, the expectations that are normally met, and the deeper normative notions and images that underlie these expectations. (23) As an exercise in promoting Cool Japan, hosting the 2020 Olympics is an effort towards both nation-branding and nation-building. But what is the 27 effect of the 2020 Olympics effort (and its attendant rhetoric) on the social Pepi Ronalds New Voices in Japanese Studies, Vol. 11, 2019, pp. 26-46 imaginary of disaster-affected Japanese citizens in the context of Japan’s recent history? The following discussion explores this question. ELEPHANT IN THE STADIUM Earlier in the ceremony an ambiguous nod was made toward what was, for many, the elephant in the stadium. The words “Thank you” were displayed in dozens of languages, including “Thank you for your support” in English. While nothing more was included in the display itself, Australian broadcast commentator Joanna Griggs drew a direct line between the words and the calamity known as 3.11: “The Japanese, taking the opportunity to thank the people of the world for their support following the horrendous earthquake they suffered from in March 2011—that caused so much destruction, loss of lives, and injuries” (Griggs in Wilson, 2016). Here Griggs acknowledges the triple disaster—an event which the people of Tohoku had borne the brunt of just five years before.1 3.11 comprised a magnitude 9.0 earthquake, a tsunami that reached heights of over 40 metres and inundated 560 square kilometres, and a nuclear meltdown at the Tokyo Electric Power Company’s (TEPCO) Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, sending a plume of radiation through the area. As a result of the disaster, 15,896 people lost their lives and 2,536 are still missing (National Police Agency 2018). On 24 April 2011 (within six weeks of the disaster) there were over 340,000 evacuees (Reconstruction Agency 2011); a year after the Rio closing ceremony—five years after 3.11—that number had less than halved to 119,000 (Reconstruction Agency 2017). Two years out from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and seven years after 3.11, 65,000 people were still without permanent homes (Reconstruction Agency, 2018a). At the time of writing, the number of people still living in temporary housing is 57,000 (Reconstruction Agency, 2018b). Although the handover at the closing ceremony in Rio only minimally acknowledged 3.11, more direct connections have been made between the two events within Japan. At times, domestic politicians have labelled the Tokyo Olympics ‘the Reconstruction Olympics’ (復興五輪; fukkō gorin) and many key players in the Tokyo Olympic effort have positioned sports as a facilitator and symbol of recovery.2 For example, in an English-language press release about the forthcoming Torch Relay and plans for the relay to pass through Tohoku, John Coates (IOC Coordination Commission Chair for Tokyo 2020) said: We hope that this symbolic act will underline the Olympic Movement’s support for the citizens of [the affected] regions, as well as allowing them to show the watching world the progress that they have made in rebuilding their lives and inspiring the local children through the Olympic values. (IOC 2018) 1 Tohoku (東北; lit., ‘northeast’) is a region in northern Japan. 2 In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, it was rumoured that Japan might abstain from a 2020 28 Olympics bid (Gamesbids.com 2011). When its winning bid was announced in 2013, Abe pledged reconstruction as a major part of it (Jiji Press 2013). The term ‘fukkō gorin’ came into use soon afterward, as seen in a policy Pepi Ronalds speech by Shinzo Abe (2014). The word ‘fukkō’ means “reconstruction”, and ‘gorin’ means “Olympics” (lit., “five New Voices in Japanese Studies, rings”). Alternatively, the term “fukkō orinpikku” (復 興 オリンピック) is also used. Vol. 11, 2019, pp. 26-46 By hosting a so-called ‘Recovery Olympics’ alongside the Cool Japan campaign, the 2020 Olympics can be seen as an effort to influence the social imaginary of both the Japanese nation and international audiences. However, what effects, if any, are these efforts having on the social imaginaries and perspectives of those in the north? Drawing on individual voices expressed in interview research as well as others from popular media, this article contends that despite efforts on the part of Olympics organisers and Japan’s political elites, the nation-building aspect of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics is failing for many in the region directly affected by 3.11. METHODOLOGY AND LIMITATIONS Since 2014 I have conducted annual, open-ended and semi-structured interviews with individuals in Miyagi prefecture to understand how their lives have been affected by 3.11.3 The interviews are part of a larger project: a creative nonfiction manuscript which aims to document the longer-term challenges, hopes and achievements of these individuals.4 Because of the nature of creative non-fiction—where limitations are often explicitly documented in the storytelling—my process allows for more fluidity in the data gathering than social-science disciplines.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • December 20, 20183:30Pm
    Free admission Max: 80 people (First come first serve) Progressive technology and affordability. Miyagi Prefecture offers the needs of companies at low costs. Learn why Miyagi is on the rise in the international investment scene. December 20, 2018 3:30pm - 6:30pm Venue：JETRO IBSC Hall, Ark Mori Bldg., 7F Presentation１ 15:30～16:00 Opening Remarks Miyagi Governor Yoshihiro Murai Governor Yoshihiro Murai was born in Toyonaka, Osaka. He attended the National Defense Academy, served as a helicopter pilot for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, attended the Matsushita Institute of Government and Management, and served as a Miyagi Prefecture Assemblymember before becoming Miyagi Governor in 2005. It is now his fourth term in office. Governor Murai aims to bring about an innovative recovery from the Great East Earthquake Disaster, and seeks to do so by establishing a strong economic foundation for promoting further economic growth. The cycle of wealth will then help push the development of welfare, education, environment, and social overhead capital. Not just attracting companies such as Toyota and Tokyo Electron, Governor Murai has announced to concentrate funds towards regulatory reform, the popularization of renewable energy, and new industry- stimulating projects such as a next-generation synchrotron facility and Philips Japan’s new R&D center. 。 「Investing in Miyagi」 Speaker: Yoshiko Narita (Director of the International Affairs Division) Presentation 2 16:00～16:30 「The Deciding Factor of Our First Japanese Development Base 」 Speaker: Hiroyuki Tsutsumi (President ＆CEO, Philips Japan) In March 2017, Hiroyuki Tsutsumi was appointed President and Representative Director of Philips Japan, and President of Philips Respironics.
    [Show full text]
  • The Otaku Phenomenon : Pop Culture, Fandom, and Religiosity in Contemporary Japan
    University of Louisville ThinkIR: The University of Louisville's Institutional Repository Electronic Theses and Dissertations 12-2017 The otaku phenomenon : pop culture, fandom, and religiosity in contemporary Japan. Kendra Nicole Sheehan University of Louisville Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.library.louisville.edu/etd Part of the Comparative Methodologies and Theories Commons, Japanese Studies Commons, and the Other Religion Commons Recommended Citation Sheehan, Kendra Nicole, "The otaku phenomenon : pop culture, fandom, and religiosity in contemporary Japan." (2017). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 2850. https://doi.org/10.18297/etd/2850 This Doctoral Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by ThinkIR: The University of Louisville's Institutional Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ThinkIR: The University of Louisville's Institutional Repository. This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has retained all other copyrights. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE OTAKU PHENOMENON: POP CULTURE, FANDOM, AND RELIGIOSITY IN CONTEMPORARY JAPAN By Kendra Nicole Sheehan B.A., University of Louisville, 2010 M.A., University of Louisville, 2012 A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences of the University of Louisville in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities Department of Humanities University of Louisville Louisville, Kentucky December 2017 Copyright 2017 by Kendra Nicole Sheehan All rights reserved THE OTAKU PHENOMENON: POP CULTURE, FANDOM, AND RELIGIOSITY IN CONTEMPORARY JAPAN By Kendra Nicole Sheehan B.A., University of Louisville, 2010 M.A., University of Louisville, 2012 A Dissertation Approved on November 17, 2017 by the following Dissertation Committee: __________________________________ Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Tohoku University Fact Book 2008 東北大学概要 2008 Tohoku University Fact Book 2008
    Tohoku University Fact Book 2008 東北大学概要 2008 Tohoku University Fact Book 2008 CONTENTS 〈Introduction〉 Historical Background ･･･････････････････････････････ 01 Mission Statement and Towards Tohoku University 2016･･ 02 Message from the President ･･････････････････････････ 03 Tohoku University’s Official Symbol, School Colors, Song and Logo ････････････････････････ 04 Presidents of Tohoku University ･･･････････････････････ 05 Japan Academy Members ････････････････････････････ 06 Chronological Chart ･････････････････････････････････ 07 Prize Winners ･･････････････････････････････････････ 09 University Awards ･･･････････････････････････････････ 12 The 100th Anniversary Projects ･･･････････････････････ 14 〈Organization〉 Organization Chart ･･････････････････････････････････ 17 Administrative Staff ･････････････････････････････････ 20 President Election Committee ････････････････････････ 22 Board of Directors ･･･････････････････････････････････ 22 Management Committee ･････････････････････････････ 22 Education and Research Council ･･････････････････････ 23 University Personnel ････････････････････････････････ 24 Faculties ･･･････････････････････････････････････････ 25 Graduate Schools ･･･････････････････････････････････ 25 Research Institutes ･･････････････････････････････････ 26 Inter-Department Institutes for Education and Research ･･ 26 University Collaborating Institutions ･･･････････････････ 27 Institute of Liberal Arts and Sciences･･･････････････････ 27 WPI Advanced Institute for Materials Research（WPI-AIMR） ････ 27 Information Synergy Organization
    [Show full text]
  • International Policy Forum 11 March 2014 Approval Ratings- Can You See the Pattern?
    International Policy Forum 11 March 2014 Approval Ratings- can you see the pattern? 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Source: NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute Abe’s approval ratings: better than last time 70 60 50 40 A be 1 A be 2 30 20 10 0 Source: NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute In comparison to past prime ministers 80 70 60 A be 50 N oda Kan 40 H atoyam a 30 Aso Fukuda 20 10 0 Source: NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute Approval rating – LDP and Cabinet 90 Cabinet Approval Rating Ruling Party Approval Rating 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Jan-00 Jan-01 Jan-02 Jan-03 Jan-04 Jan-05 Jan-06 Jan-07 Jan-08 Jan-09 Jan-10 Jan-11 Jan-12 Jan-13 Jan-14 Source: NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute Abe is performing on par with Koizumi this far 90" Koizumi" 80" Abe1" Abe2" 70" 60" 50" 40" 30" 20" 10" 0" Source: NHK Broadcasting Culture Research Institute But still dependent on New Komeito in the upper house LDP Komeito Your Party DPJ SDP Japan Future Party Daichi 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% LDP Komeito Your Party DPJ SDP Japan Future Party 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Bills for the 186th diet session Ministry of Internal Affairs and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Cabinet Office Communications Industry • Revision of Radio Act to • Bill to extend export credit • Bill to Establish Medical adjust fees for use of radio insurance coverage to trade Strategy Promotion Bureau frequency with overseas subsidiaries • Bill to reform Nuclear • Revision of the Broadcasting • Promotion of city centers - a Damage Liability Act and Radio Act to add new boost for retail? Facilitation Fund (to add Internet broadcasting as a • Introduction of registration system for electricity suppliers ability to fund duty of NHK and to ease decommissioning) (first step towards retail conditions for receiving liberalization) and a system broadcasting license Time: End February • Various measure to promote for trade in electricity futures “e-governance”.
    [Show full text]
  • JAPAN—Books and Websites
    JAPAN—Books and Websites BUSINESS The Mind Of The Strategist: The Art of Japanese Business by Kenichi Ohmae Japanese Business Culture and Practices: A Guide to Twenty-First Century Japanese Business by John Alston (Author), Isao Takei The Japanese Economy By David Plath The Japanese Economy: Then, Now, and Beyond by Mitsuru Taniuchi http://www.japanintercultural.com/en/blogs/default.aspx http://www.japaninc.com/japan-inc-blog http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/japan-country- profiles.html http://www.economist.com/topics/japanese-economy http://www.tradegood.com/en/insights/viewpoints/japans-economy-in-2014-bear-or- bull.html http://www.theodora.com/wfbcurrent/japan/japan_economy.html 2 NEWS http://www.japantimes.co.jp/ http://ajw.asahi.com/?ref=asacom http://mainichi.jp/english/ http://asia.nikkei.com/ (business news) HISTORY A History of Japan by R. H. P. Mason , J. G. Caiger A History of the Japanese People From the Earliest Times to the End of the Meiji Era By F. (Frank) Brinkley (Author), Dairoku Kikuchi (Author) A Brief History of Japanese Civilization by Conrad Schirokauer , David Lurie, Suzanne Gay http://www.japan-101.com/history/ http://japanesehistory.info/ http://people.cohums.ohio- state.edu/bender4/eall131/EAHReadings/module02/m02japanese.html 3 CULTURE Etiquette Guide to Japan: Know the Rules that Make the Difference! by Boye Lafayette De Ment The Japanese Mind: Understanding Contemporary Japanese Culture by Roger J. Davies (Author), Osamu Ikeno (Author) http://www.japanese-buddhism.com/japanese-religion.html
    [Show full text]
  • From the Japanese Traditional Edo Culture to Anime and Manga Takuji
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Kwansei Gakuin University Repository 1 Kwansei Gakuin University Social Sciences Review Vol.19, 2014 Nishinomiya, Japan Roots of Cool Japan: From the Japanese Traditional Edo Culture to Anime and Manga Takuji OKUNO Japan’s transition from making things to making tales Japanese popular culture, known as “Cool Japan,” includes animations, comics, video games, figures, and J-pops that are highly acclaimed in Europe and the United States as well as throughout Asia. From the 1970s to the 1980s, Japan gained confidence in its ability to “make things” because consumers around the world embraced its manufactured products such as electric home appliances and automobiles with open arms in preference to the products of other advanced countries. However, at the beginning of the Heisei era, the bubble in the Japanese economy suddenly burst and Japan’s gross national product (GNP) plummeted, resulting in what is termed “the burst of economic bubble of 1990.” Relatively cheaper manufactured products from other Asian countries gained precedence over Japanese products. In response, many Japanese manufacturers moved their production plants to other Asian countries, particularly settling in mainland China, where labor costs were lower than in Japan. The recession was protracted and the Japanese people suffered from a sense low confidence in their abilities to overcome the recession. By the late 1990s, Prime Ministers Mori and, subsequently, Koizumi responded to Japanese political leader Heizo Takenaka’s advocacy of an information technology (IT) revolution in Japan as a way to beat the recession.
    [Show full text]
  • E Corporate Banking
    í been offering a diverse range of trade-related consulting services Corporate Banking since the inauguration of this advisory service in February 2008. Enhancing Services for Midsized Companies Structuring Systems that Respond in Depth and SMEs to a Wide Range of Requirements Initiatives to Strengthen Products and Services Our branches and other business offi ces offer a broad spectrum to Meet Diverse Corporate Needs of in-depth advice and support especially tailored to meeting a SMBC has a diverse lineup of services to meet the funding needs diversity of customer needs and helping them address the issues of midsized companies and small and medium-sized enterprises they face. (SMEs). These include the Business Select Loan, which does not In October 2008, we established Business Support Offi ces in require collateral or a third-party guarantee. In addition, in September Akabane, Ohta, Sapporo, Shin-Osaka, and Keihan Kyobashi as 2007, SMBC launched the Wide Support Loan to meet the needs of well as a Corporate Business Offi ce in Okazaki in Aichi Prefecture. customers wishing to use their real estate holdings as collateral for As of November 30, 2008, there were 182 Corporate Business raising funds. This was followed in November 2007 by the introduc- Offi ces and 23 Business Support Offi ces throughout Japan to tion of Asset Value, a loan secured with movable assets. assist our corporate clients. Additionally, in April 2008, we introduced the Asset Value Truck & By expanding the previously mentioned product and service Bus Loan, which is secured by commercial vehicles, and the Certi fi e d offerings as well as upgrading and realigning corporate business Corporate Support Loan, which is targeted to corporate customers offi ces, we will continue to put our midsized and SME customers that have obtained offi cial certifi cations or won awards from national fi rst, listen carefully to their opinions, and respond in depth to their and local government entities specifi ed by SMBC or obtained certifi - needs.
    [Show full text]
  • Cool Japan Strategy
    Cool Japan Strategy January 2012 Creative Industries Division Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry The Japanese economy—status and issues: Population decline and decreased growth potential Japan’s nominal GDP decreased by 55 trillion yen over the three years from 2008 to 2011. Japan's real economic growth rate fell to 1% and below during the 2000s. In the future, the declining population of productive age is expected to lower growth potential. 55 trillion yen decrease ○ Nominal GDP (annualized), January–March 2008: 517 trillion yen in nominal GDP in ○ Nominal GDP (annualized) April–June 2011: 462 trillion yen three years Past and projected change in Japan's population of Past and projected economic growth rates productive age (10,000 persons) 00～–1414 population歳人口 1515–～6464 population歳人口 6565 歳以上人口and older population (Change（年度平均変化率：％） in average annual rate: %) Impact就業者数の変化の影響 on number of persons employed 14,000 Productivity生産性（就業者一人当たり実質 (real GDP per employed person)GDP ）成長率growth rate 13,000 4.5 Real実質 GDPGDP growth成長率 rate 12,000 2,941 4.0 1.2 11,000 10,000 3.0 9,000 8,000 2.0 3,764 1.5 7,000 3.3 0.7 0.4 0.3 0.5 1.0 6,000 8,128 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 5,000 0.0 4,000 4,930 -0.3 -0.6 -0.7 3,000 -1.0 2,000 19801980s年代 19901990s年代 20002000s年代 20102010s年代 20202020s年代 (fiscal（年度） years) 1,000 1,648 821 0 Note: Labor force participation rates by sex and age are assumed to remain level from 2009.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 the Cool Japan Project and the Globalization of Anime
    THE COOL JAPAN PROJECT AND THE GLOBALIZATION OF ANIME AND MANGA IN THE UNITED STATES by Joshua Michael Draper Honors Thesis Appalachian State University Submitted to the Department of Cultural, Gender, and Global Studies and The Honors College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Arts May, 2015 Approved by: Wei Xie, Ph.D., Thesis Director Alexandra Sterling-Hellenbrand, Ph.D., Second Reader Jeanne Dubino, Ph.D., Department Honors Director Leslie Sargent Jones, Ph.D., Director, The Honors College 1 The Cool Japan Project and the Globalization of Anime and Manga in the United States Abstract: This research paper will primarily discuss the impact that Japanese animation and manga have had on American popular culture and the subsequent cult following they developed. It will discuss what distinguishes Japanese animation from Western animation, how Japanese animation initially gained popularity among American audiences, and how it has subsequently impacted American popular culture. This paper will also focus on the subculture of otaku, a group of people known for their devoted following to Japanese animation and comic books. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the relative popularity of Japanese animation and manga amongst American audiences as an example of globalization impacting the United States from another country. Keywords: anime, manga, soft power, Cool Japan, globalization 2 Introduction During the 1980s and 1990s, Japanese animation and comic books began coming overseas to the United States, where it soon gained popularity amongst a sizeable number of young Americans. Recognizing the economic potential of Japanese popular culture, in 2002, Douglas McGray, writing for Foreign Policy, wrote an article titled “Japan’s Gross National Cool”, highlighting Japan’s potential to be a global “soft power”, or a country that promotes itself through its cultural influence rather than by economic and military force.
    [Show full text]
  • Creating a Cool Japan: Nationalism in 21St Century Japanese Animation and Manga
    Creating a Cool Japan: Nationalism in 21st Century Japanese Animation and Manga Majesty Kayla Zander Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Prerequisite for Honors in Japanese Language and Culture under the advisement of Robert Goree May 2021 © 2021 Majesty Zander 1 Table of Contents Table of Contents ...........................................................................................................................1 Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................2 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................3 Chapter 1: Cool Japan...................................................................................................................8 Cool Japan and Nationalism ..................................................................................................................... 8 Cool Japan and Anime ............................................................................................................................ 16 Conclusion .............................................................................................................................................. 19 Chapter 2: Clean Japan ..............................................................................................................22 Clean Japan and Nihonjinron .................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Final Summary & Vision
    Final Summary & Vision Hitoshi Yamamoto Nov 1, 2019 LCWS2019 in Sendai Over 400 registrants: the largest ever for linear collider workshops held in Japan Addresses by dignitaries: (Plenaries) Ryu Shionoya, Director General of Federation of Diet Members for ILC Hideo Ono, Presdent of Tohoku University Yoshihiro Murai, Governor of Miyagi Prefecture (Reception) Kazuko Kori, Mayor of Sendai (Banquet) Takuya Tasso, Governor of Iwate Prefecture and many more Strong Participation by Industry: Industry exhibition (Monday , Tuesday) 57 booths Industry session (Wedesday almost all day) Nambu Session Higgs particle is a Nambu particle! 2020 is 100th anniversary of Nambu‘ birth. Outreach Event Thursday, Oct 31 Researchers attending LCWS2019 interacted with junior-high school and high-school students. Progresses since LCWS2018(1) (Taken from Hon. Shionoya’s address) On March 7th, the MEXT Director-General presented two action items: 1) establish an ILC discussion group with Europe, similar to the US-Japan discussion group. Germany: created and started, France: in preparation 2) create an international working group at KEK for preparing the basic plan for international resource sharing. Report released - basis of serious discussion with other countries Progresses since LCWS2018 (2) (Taken from Hon. Shionoya’s address) Two processes to watch: 1) the Master Plan process of the Science Council of Japan is ongoing 2) the discussions for the update of the European Strategy for Particle Physics are ongoing What is happening within Japanese government and legislative body: In parallel with the administrative process by the government, we, as politicians in the legislative branch, will make actions in earnest toward implementing the preparatory budget and discussing the financial resources for the construction.
    [Show full text]
  • Japan's Recovery: Who Needs Leaders? | the Economist
    Japan's recovery: Who needs leaders? | The Economist http://www.economist.com/node/18803423/print World politics Business & finance Economics Science & technology Culture Blogs Debate & discuss Multimedia Print edition United States Britain Europe Asia Americas Middle East & Africa Japan's recovery Who needs leaders? The aftermath of the March 11th disasters shows that Japan’s strengths lie outside Tokyo, in its regions Jun 9th 2011 | MINAMISANRIKU AND TOKYO | from the print edition Like 944 24 THE earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident that struck Japan three months ago have revealed something important about the country: a seam of strength and composure in the bedrock of society that has surprised even the Japanese themselves. Not only has this resilience helped the hundreds of thousands suffering from the loss of families, homes and livelihoods to cope with their suffering, despite the self-absorbed dithering of their national politicians in Tokyo. By reminding Japan of the hidden depths of its local communities, especially compared with the shallowness of central government, it has also provided a sense of how Japan could emerge stronger from the crisis, ending years of economic drift. One of the most heroic examples of community spirit was 24-year-old Miki Endo, who used the loudspeaker system in Minamisanriku, a fishing port close to the focus of the 9.0 earthquake, to urge residents to do what they could to escape the incoming tsunami. She drowned at her post. Television footage shows the rising sea approaching, with her haunting voice echoing over the waves. More than 1,000 of the town’s 18,000 residents died.
    [Show full text]